Hidden Camera Arrest

[Kendall James-Vargas]

A recent arrest was made due to a hidden camera being planted in an RCL restroom near the FlowRider surf simulator. The camera was installed on April 30 onboard Harmony of the Seas and was discovered on May 1st by another passenger. Over 150 people were estimated to have been captured in this video. This is so aggravating to me! Has anyone encountered anything like this before? Approximately 40 of those caught on camera were said to be minors. Thankfully the FBI is involved and will, hopefully, properly handle this upsetting situation. 

[kefthecruiser]

To my knowledge, I've never experienced this, but then how does one know? What a sick-o, it's just so sad this type of perversion has now infiltrated the cruise industry. But I guess the on board population reflects society as a whole. There was a recent article about an airbnb where a group of young ladies found cameras in the rentals bathroom outlet. Obviously the owner / pervert had more time to install that the cruise ship perpetrator. smh

[FJB]

Isn’t technology great?!

[Kendall James-Vargas]

@kefthecruiser It's so true. I'm not sure how one would know because the objective is to hide the cameras! Hidden cameras are truly everywhere and unless we are really paying close attention it's hard to see them. As someone who has been a nanny in the past, I have identified hidden cameras in the most unthought-of spaces. For this purpose, of protecting a child, I totally understand, but for the purpose of inappropriately exposing a child, I feel very differently. I feel very strongly about the invasion of personal privacy, and this is totally crossing the line! You never know who is the type to cross the line, so it oftentimes leaves me paranoid out in public with my children. I now, more so than before, feel the urge to inspect public restrooms more carefully, especially when my child goes into a stall alone. I would like to see the sentence the perpetrator receives. I will be following this story to look for any finalized outcomes.

[PaulB]

It's absolutely shocking the world we live in that there are people who can do such a thing. To even contemplate it is bad enough, however to meticulously plan it before hand, get the equipment and install it must have taken weeks maybe months in the detail. How long a sentence would you expect to get for something like that?

[kefthecruiser]

@PaulB I was able to find this:

"FEDERAL CRIME OF VIDEO VOYEURISM - 18 U.S. CODE § 1801

While every state in the Union and the District of Columbia now has laws criminalizing the act of video voyeurism in some capacity, it is also considered a federal offense under Title 18 of the U.S. Code section 1801.

If you are charged under this law, you could face hefty fines and federal imprisonment for up to one year."

AND

"Video voyeurism is one of several laws in which the U.S. claims expanded "special maritime and territorial jurisdiction," generally meaning it's a federal crime not only within U.S. boundaries but also in many cases outside the U.S. when it's committed against a U.S. national.

This jurisdiction is explicitly defined in 18 U.S.C. 7 and includes the following:

• Any U.S. territory not under state jurisdiction. 
• Federal property;
• American vessels in international waters;
• Foreign vessels en route to and from the United States;"

So, that’s about it for USA law, beyond the cruise line banning the perp from cruising again. It is a sad state of affairs.

[PaulB]

Thank you @kefthecruiser for this. It always fascinates me about the world's law and this clears things up. That sounds about fair, obviously voyeurism is one thing, however if under 18 are in there, would the fine and imprisonment be even more severe?

[kefthecruiser]

I'm no legal expert. My understanding is this law does not differentiate by age. However, depending on the severity of the offense, other laws, such as child porn, could come into play. This is determined by the DA. Also, I'll note that the law can be applied per occurrence. So, if there are more than 150 people as the article suggests, and they come forward, that can be a big multiplier on sentencing. Thus, the reason why the FBI is soliciting victim information. I'm not qualified to speculate on how the court may rule in this situation. I'm just a retired guy who enjoys cruising!

Edited May 17 by kefthecruiser
typo

[3Sisters]

@kefthecruiser I appreciate you sharing this sort of legal criminology perspective. It gives me a little insight as to how this whole situation may pan out. I truly hope that people come forward to share their testimony and ensure this perpetrator gets the proper sentence. I also hope that the youth involved in this case are protected and that the perpetrator sees a heightened sentence in regards to exploiting not only adults but many minors.

@kefthecruiser This whole scenario is so violating, on many different levels. I wonder if this is the perpetrator's first go at this sort of thing. I highly doubt it. 

[PaulB]

@3Sisters yes that's actually a good insight. What if this wasn't his first time of doing a  similar situation. He may have done it over and over and this time got caught.

[3Sisters]

I think that's likely what happened. It's much easier to capture the perpetrator when there are plenty of onboard security cameras in an enclosed space; he couldn't hide. In a public atmosphere with no security cameras, the perpetrator could have planted a camera anywhere and received all the images without getting caught. I'm just thankful that the perpetrator was caught! That's I guess the highlight of a very wrongful circumstance. Now that the FBI is involved, he's completely exposed, even his name.

[PaulB]

Good enough for him

[Kendall James-Vargas]

I haven't found any updates on the status of this arrest but it definitely got a lot of publicity. I hope this spreads awareness and makes cruise lines more observant when it comes to unforeseen criminal activity. This guy must have really hidden the camera well because it took a while for anyone to find it. The fact that 150 different guests could have utilized this public restroom and been filmed during the process is so disappointing to me. 

[PaulB]

I also would be keen to hear any updates on this, as I think if people are aware that this person has been punished or not for such a crime. If it stops people from carrying out similar crimes in the future, then that's what needs to happen, and people need to be made aware of this.

[Cruising Caribbean]

I haven't seen any updates but the FBI is still searching for victims. If you were victimized by Froias you can submit this form to the FBI, in assisting to properly substantiate this case.

https://forms.fbi.gov/harmonycruisevictims

He was a City of Kissimmee employee and was fired from his job on Monday, May 8th due to this event. What's crazy is that Jeremy was actually a cyber security officer for the city since 2004!  https://www.aroundosceola.com/index.php/news/city-kissimmee-employee-arrested-terminated-after-fbi-reports-his-hidden-camera-cruise-ship

[PaulB]

That was a good read. At least we know something happened to him. How ironic being cyber security officer and being done for something like that.

[3Sisters]

I thought the same thing! It's super ironic that this perpetrator actually worked as a cyber security officer for the city, especially for that long. This guy worked for the city for 20 years! That's a long time, and I'm sure many coworkers didn't see that coming. It's so upsetting to think about this because I think it happens all too often and goes unnoticed more than we would like to believe. I'm glad he was caught, and I hope many victims come forward with a good testimony to keep this perpetrator from endangering more people!

[LukeJ]

I've only just read this story. This is truly shocking news. How could this person think he can get away with it. What was the outcome regarding the ships, assuming he has been banned obviously but was there a further punishment?

[kefthecruiser]

@LukeJ The wheel of justice sometimes turns slower than we would like.

He was charged with video voyeurism and attempted possession of child exploitation material. He is currently out on bond & last I checked no trial date has been set. The FBI continues to solicit information from victims. The U.S. District Court for Puerto Rico has jurisdiction. The docket revealed that Froias is a married father of two. The judge allowed him to be released “subject to the qualification of his wife as a TPC,” which appears to mean “third party custodian,” and a $25,000 bond to be signed by him and the TPC. "He is to reside at the address of record. Defendant is not to have unsupervised contact with any minors under the age of 18, including his two children. His two children will reside at the alternate address proposed by counsel (grandparents’ residence),” said an order setting the conditions of the defendant’s release from custody. The Defendant is to be subject to an EMD [electronic monitoring device] in home detention modality." Froias has been barred from accessing the internet, whether at home or at work, and he must surrender his passport. “Travel is restricted between Puerto Rico and Middle District of Florida,” the judge ordered.

So that's what we know today. As an aside, I feel so sorry for all the victims, which include his wife and two children.

[Cruising Caribbean]

@kefthecruiser This was a great response to @LukeJ's question. I love how much support you put into your feedback! I can't believe that this guy had two children at home that he cared for. This is disgusting news for his family. I'm not quite sure how the judge would have allowed this third-party custodian situation to pan out. How does that all work exactly? I haven't heard of a situation like this where his wife was a TPC. It sounds odd to me.

[kefthecruiser]

@Cruising Caribbean Thanks for the compliment. It's the engineer in me, needing to know facts & details! Sometimes, it's a curse. How did the judge come up with the TPC? Unknown to me. Others in the press question the low bond as well. Obviously, he's not considered a flight risk. 

[Cruising Caribbean]

@kefthecruiser It's well deserved! I don't really understand the whole logistics of the TPC, but to me, it seems scam-like. Maybe he has a friend in high places that was able to do him a serious favor. I agree, he must not be a flight risk, but I'm still very distressed about him having small children at home. Was this guy on the cruise with his family? I don't really understand the whole reason why Froias was on this cruise, to begin with. I wonder if he went on this vacation for the sole purpose of placing the video cam, or did this scammer do this while on a family vacation for the fun of it? It's all so weird, and now he's on house arrest without his children. That's a sad life to live, but he definitely deserves at least that. The $25,000 bond seems particularly low. 

[PaulB]

@kefthecruiser yes I agree, what an interesting response. I read it with admiration. I too cannot believe he had a family. It just doesn't make sense that someone would risk something so stupid. Not once did he think about them 

[FJB]

No internet access. How can anyone today carry on life without internet access? I believe jail inmates have some form of internet access. I’m not sure this is even enforceable. 

[Cruising Caribbean]

@FJB I too am curious how no internet access would be enforceable. I'm pretty certain all of this could be easily snuck on a friend's phone or swept under the rug. This guy is pretty skilled in the cyber world anyways; I'm sure he could figure out plenty of ways around this mandate.